Snowmaking automation system and modules

ABSTRACT

The invention is a snowmaking automation system and snowmaking automation modules for use with snowmaking guns and hydrants. Embodiments of the snowmaking automation modules described herein may be battery powered, and thus do not require fixed electrical infrastructure, but are designed to use such infrastructure if present on the mountain. In some embodiments, various components of the snowmaking automation system may be wireless and thus do not require hard-wired communications, for example between base stations, servers, databases, repeater nodes and remotely controlled snowmaking guns and hydrants with their snowmaking automation modules installed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This utility patent application claims benefit and priority to U.S.provisional patent application No. 62/143,776, filed, Apr. 6, 2015,titled: “SNOWMAKING AUTOMATION SYSTEM”, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.This application is a counterpart to an international patent applicationfiled contemporaneously on, Apr. 6, 2016, titled: “SNOWMAKING AUTOMATIONSYSTEM AND MODULES”.

This US nonprovisional patent application is also related to co-pendingU.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 15/069,945, filed, Mar.14, 2016, titled: “DUAL AUTO HYDRANT FOR SNOWMAKING EQUIPMENT AND METHODOF USING SAME”, the contents of which are also hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods formaking artificial snow. More particularly, this invention relates toautomated systems for controlling the making of artificial snow. Stillmore particularly, the snowmaking automation system of the presentinvention provides remote automated control of snowmaking guns,compressed air sources and water hydrants arbitrarily located at a skiresort.

2. Description of Related Art

Snowmaking equipment is commonly used at ski resorts to supplementnatural snowfall when needed to adequately cover ski slope terrainotherwise covered with dirt, surface plants, gravel, rocks and otherdebris that prevents safe skiing or boarding on snow. Snowmakingequipment always requires a source of water from which snow may becreated from atomized mists of water droplets that may, or may not, beseeded with nucleating ice crystals. Some snowmaking equipment requireselectricity to run fans or operate equipment controls, data logging orother purposes. Still other snowmaking equipment may require a source ofcompressed air used to accelerate atomized mists of water droplets andoptionally the nucleating ice crystals into the atmosphere so that thewater droplets can freeze in the air before falling to the surfaceintended for the artificial snow.

Snowmaking guns, such as those offered by Snow Logic, Inc., Park City,Utah, typically require a source of water and a source of compressed airto operate. The water source may be a physical pipeline that has beeninstalled to a key location on a ski slope for the purpose ofsnowmaking. Alternatively, a well, temporary pipe, water hose, or anyother suitable water source may be used for snowmaking. Typically, thewater source must be pressurized to deliver it to a particular elevationand for use in pressurizing or charging the snowmaking gun. Someconventional water sources may be a creek, reservoir or well from whichwater may be extracted and pumped, typically at a pump house, through afixed, preferably buried pipeline up along a ski run with periodichydrants (vertical pipes) that provide water at the surface forsnowmaking.

Similarly, the compressed air source may be a compressed air pipeline,air hose, air compressor, or other suitable compressed air source thathas been located adjacent to or near the desired location forsnowmaking. Some conventional snowmaking systems have compressed airpipelines that may parallel the water pipelines, e.g., 2-3 feet apart upa ski slope, and again, preferably underground, e.g., about 4 feet belowthe surface. Pressurized air discharged from an air compressor isgenerally too hot at about, 180-200° F., for use in snowmaking. So, theheated compressed air may be initially cooled by a primary coolingdevice known as an aftercooler. The aftercooler may consist of pipessurrounded by cold water through which the air passes and cools. Thecooling of the air may also cause condensation of the air's moisturewhich must also be removed to prevent frosting of the air hoses usedsubsequently to deliver pressurized air to a snow gun. So, the cooledair with some moisture removed leaves the aftercooler and may enter asecondary cooling device, known as a stripping tower. The strippingtower in essence freeze dries the cooled air and further removesmoisture. The colder compressed air leaving the stripping tower may havedropped in temperature to a range of about 45-55° F. The compressed airand pressurized water pipelines may also serve to further reduce thetemperature of both to a temperature range of about 34-35° F., and mayfurther dry the compressed air, if uninsulated pipes are used. However,a water droplet passing through a conventional snow gun may range from34-44° F. depending on how the water is sourced.

The snowmaking gun used to make artificial snow may also be used incombination with a hydrant for controlling the water source and forcontrolling the compressed air source. Snow Logic, Inc., offers a dualauto hydrant that can safely control both the water source andcompressed air source feeding a snowmaking gun.

Conventional snowmaking guns and hydrants are typically manuallyoperated by snowmaking staff at a ski resort. It is generally timeconsuming for ski resort staff to travel to any and all of the variouslocations on a given mountain where snowmaking equipment is located.Additionally, the ideal time to operate snowmaking equipment may beanytime during the day or night as long as the ambient temperature andsnowmaking conditions are correct. Consequently, there may beundesirable labor costs associated with snowmaking. But, these are notthe only problems associated with conventional snowmaking systems andprior attempts at automating the snowmaking process.

Another problem with conventional fixed location snowmaking automationis that it may rely on buried or above ground power to operate thesystem and actuators. Such automation is “fixed” because it is tied tothe fixed location of the buried or above ground power source used tooperate the system. The cost of electrical infrastructure necessary toautomate every possible location where snowmaking is desired on themountain of a ski resort is expensive and invasive to the environment.Many snowmaking guns at ski resorts do not have such electricalinfrastructure. Yet another problem with conventional fixed locationautomation used by ski resorts is that it typically only runs an averageof 110-160 hours per season. Depending on the cost of such fixedautomation, this may result in a long duration (perhaps years) beforereaching a return on the investment. Still another problem with suchconventional fixed location automation systems is that repair andmaintenance of such fixed location automation systems generally must becarried out in the field, i.e., on the mountain.

Additionally, resorts may not have trained or experienced staff totroubleshoot and repair fixed snowmaking automation systems. There is asignificant labor cost associated with hiring, training and maintainingqualified staff, or hiring outside technicians to troubleshoot andrepair fixed snowmaking automation systems. There will always be a needto troubleshoot and repair snowmaking automation over time during actualuse. For example, any kind of snowmaking equipment may be subject tomalfunction from electrical (lightning strikes) during storms ormechanical (frozen pipes, avalanches, etc.)

Conventional hydrants and their associate valving, if not properlydrained when not in use, can become dangerous. For example, on Dec. 7,1998, Kevin E. Turner, Environmental Manager, Homewood Ski Resort,Homewood, Calif. (west shore of Lake Tahoe), was severely injured when abrass ball valve installed between a hydrant and a snow gun failedbecause water froze inside the valve and caused the valve cap topartially separate from the valve body and ultimately exploded becauseof unreleased compressed air. Kevin E. Turner v. Northern Indiana BrassCo. d/b/a NIBCO and Western Nevada Supply Co., No SCV 9387, 2009 WL132814 (Cal. Superior).

Finally, conventional snowmaking automation tends to be proprietary asit is made for a particular type (gun or fan) and brand of snowmakinggun. Thus, implementing snowmaking automation at a given resort becomescostly and difficult because the conventional snowmaking automationsystems are generally tied to the particular guns already installed.Snowmaking automation is also expensive when replacing existingequipment with new equipment that supports the desired automation.

Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for automated snowmakingequipment for automatically generating artificial snow using hydrantsand snowmaking guns, that reduces ski resort labor costs, solves atleast some of the above identified problems with conventional fixedautomation systems, and provides greater control over the snowmakingprocess.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of a snowmaking automation system for remotely controllingthe generation of snow is disclosed. The system may include a hydrantfor selectively receiving and delivering pressurized water andcompressed air. The system may further include a snowmaking gun coupledto the hydrant to selectively receive the pressurized water and thecompressed air. The system may further include at least one automationmodule coupled to the hydrant or the snowmaking gun, each of the atleast one automation modules having a means for communication and amotor for actuating the snowmaking gun or the hydrant to selectivelygenerate snow using the water and the air. The system may furtherinclude a base station in communication with the at least one automationmodule, the base station configured to provide a user control of the atleast one automation module and thereby remotely control generation ofthe snow.

An embodiment of a snowmaking automation module is disclosed. The modulemay include a housing with an actuator interface for attachment to asnowmaking gun or a hydrant. The module may further include a gear motormounted inside the housing and coupled to the actuator interface, thegear motor configured to selectively drive a snowmaking gun or ahydrant. The module may further include a radio modem and antennamounted inside the housing. The module may further include a batterymounted inside the housing, the battery coupled to, and configure forpowering, the gear motor and the radio modem.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example,features of embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments for carrying outthe invention. Like reference numerals refer to like parts in differentviews or embodiments of the present invention in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system level block diagram of a snowmaking automation systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a base station according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a snowmaking gun automation moduleaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a repeater according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a hydrant automation module according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-6C are perspective, front and top views, respectively, of asnowmaking gun automation module attached to a snowmaking gun accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A-7E are perspective, bottom, front, top and left side views,respectively, of a hydrant automation module attached to a dual autohydrant according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an automated snowmakingsystem according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an automated snow gun withmanual hydrant according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a manual snow gun withautomated hydrant according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an automated snow gunwith automated hydrant according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of another embodiment of an automated snowmakingsystem according to the present invention.

FIGS. 13A-13C are left side, front and right side views of an embodimentof a snowmaking automation module according to the present invention.

FIGS. 14A-14F are left side, top, front-right perspective, front, rightside and rear views of an embodiment of a snowmaking gun with asnowmaking automation module installed according to the presentinvention.

FIGS. 15A-15F are rear perspective, top, front, right side, rear andleft-side view of an embodiment of a hydrant with a snowmakingautomation module installed according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention include a snowmaking automation system foruse with snowmaking guns and hydrants. Embodiments of the snowmakingautomation system described herein may be battery powered, and thus donot require fixed electrical infrastructure, but are designed to usesuch infrastructure if present on the mountain. The battery life isdesigned to operate the actuator for 150-200 hours before rechargingaccording to embodiments of a snowmaking automation system of thepresent invention disclosed herein. This range of time is typicallyrequired to complete a batch of snowmaking on a given run at a resort.Some embodiments of the snowmaking automation system are also wireless,and thus, do not require hard-wired communications between base stationsand remotely controlled snowmaking guns and hydrants. Anotheradvantageous feature is the anticipated lower cost of operation of thevarious embodiments of a snowmaking automation systems of the presentinvention.

Another advantageous feature of the snowmaking automation system is thatthe actuators employed are modular and can be exchanged betweenembodiments of the snowmaking gun and embodiments of the hydrant. Thislevel of actuator modularity makes for simpler maintenance, because theactuators are both identical, thus two different actuators, and theassociated duplication of inventory, are unnecessary. The embodiments ofactuators of the present invention may be swapped out on the mountainand brought back to a workshop for repairs and maintenance.Alternatively, the actuators may be sent back to the manufacturer forrepairs eliminating the need for an in-house technician at the resort.The automation modules may be swapped out based on battery charge (needfor recharging) or repairs (malfunctions) or scheduled maintenance. Forexample, damaged automation modules may be swapped out in the field witha replacement. The state and condition of the individual actuators canbe tracked in real-time via the snowmaking automation system of thepresent invention.

According to one embodiment, the actuator on a Snow Logic snowmaking gunis capable of supplying power (24v) and control signals to a Snow Logicdual auto hydrant, thereby eliminating the need for a radio modem andbattery associated with the dual auto hydrant actuator.

Still another advantageous feature of embodiments of the snowmakingautomation system of the present invention is that it communicates via aradio network. However, embodiments are also capable of communication bya “hard-wired” link, e.g., Ethernet, optical fiber, twisted pair or anyother suitable network cabling if already present at a fixed location onthe mountain.

According to another embodiment, each actuator may have an onboardGlobal Positioning System (GPS) module so that each automation modulemay be physically tracked by the snowmaking automation system of thepresent invention, for example by a master control computer. Thisfeature is particularly useful, e.g., in determining the location of amodule that needs servicing or recharging.

Yet another advantageous feature of embodiments of the snowmakingautomation system employing GPS modules of the present invention is thatwater pressure sensors may become unnecessary for each snowmaking gun ateach individual location. This is because the water pressure may beobtained by measurement from the pump house (original water source) onlyand then extrapolating pressure by using GPS altitude. This can reduceoverall system cost by eliminating water pressure sensors.

Another advantageous feature of embodiments of the snowmaking automationsystem of the present invention is that there is virtually no limit onthe number of adjustments of snowmaking parameters that may be madeduring a given snowmaking production run. In contrast, manual adjustmentby a technician on location at the snowmaking equipment on a mountaintypically only occurs 2-5 times per night. By removing the adjustmentlimitations inherent in manual systems, snowmaking production may beoptimized and maximized, while reducing costs. This feature improvessnow making production capabilities and snow quality. According to oneembodiment, the snowmaking automation system of the present invention iscapable of making adjustments to the snowmaking parameters every 15minutes as ambient conditions change.

Embodiments of the snowmaking automation system of the present inventionin combination with a Snow Logic dual auto hydrant provide thecapability to automate any conventional type or brand of air watersnowmaking gun. This feature is believed to be a first in the industry.Thus, embodiments of the snowmaking automation system of the presentinvention used in conjunction with a Snow Logic dual auto hydrant can beused to retrofit existing conventional air and water snowmaking systemswith automation. This allows for a master control computer (basestation) within the snowmaking automation system of the presentinvention to control different brands and types of snowmakingtechnology.

It will be apparent that various configurations of the snowmakingautomation system of the present invention can be made to suitparticular needs of a given resort. For example, the automation may beused to automate the hydrant and leave the gun in a manualconfiguration, or the reverse, where the gun is automated and thehydrant is manually operated. Of course, the most flexible controloccurs when both the gun and hydrant are automated.

Finally, because of the modularity of the snowmaking automation systemof the present invention, there are various business models that couldbe employed with the deployment of such snowmaking equipment, e.g.,direct sales to the resort, rental or leasing of the equipment to theresorts. This feature gives ski resorts great flexibility in how theychoose to implement snowmaking automation and control over their directlabor costs.

The terms “snowmaking gun” and “snow gun” are used interchangeablyherein and are understood to be a device configured to convert water tosnow under the appropriate atmospheric conditions. Exemplary snow gunsare available from Snow Logic, Inc., Park City, Utah, and may be asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,170,041 to Dodson. The terms “automatedactuator”, “snowmaking automation module” and “black box” are also usedinterchangeably and synonymously herein and are understood to be adevice that may be interchangeably attached to either a snowmaking gunor a hydrant through a common actuator interface according to theembodiments of the invention disclosed herein. This interchangeablefeature of the automated actuator or snowmaking automation module isbelieved to be a unique and useful feature that provides greaterflexibility in implementing, servicing and maintaining a givensnowmaking automation system.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a system level block diagramof a snowmaking automation system 100 is shown, according to presentinvention. System 100 may include one or more (one shown) snowmakingguns 102 in communication 106 with a hydrant 104. Typically at eachlocation where snowmaking takes place, a snowmaking gun 102 may bephysically connected (not shown) to the hydrant 104 via water andoptionally compressed air hoses (also not shown). The hydrant 104 isfurther connected to a pressurized water source 108. A compressed airsource 110 may be physically connected with a compressed air hose to thesnowmaking gun as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1. Alternatively, thecompressed air source 110 may be connected to valving in the hydrant104, where the hydrant 104 is a dual auto hydrant, such as the onedisclosed in co-pending U.S. provisional patent application No.62/133,289, filed, Mar. 13, 2015, titled: “DUAL AUTO HYDRANT FORSNOWMAKING EQUIPMENT”. In this alternative configuration, the snowmakinggun 102 is physically connected (not shown) to the hydrant 104 via awater hose (also not shown) and compressed air hose (also not shown).

System 100 may further include a base station 112 that is incommunication 116 with one or more (one shown) repeater nodes 114 and isalso in communication 118 with the one or more snowmaking guns 102. Thecommunications 116 and 118 may be wireless or wired depending on theparticular embodiment. Of course, the wireless communication (106, 116,118) embodiments offer the greatest flexibility in terms of locating thegun 102 and hydrant 104 on a given mountain location (not shown).

The repeater nodes 114 are used to provide wireless connectivity betweenthe base station 112 and each snowmaking gun 102 and hydrant 104 in thevaried topography that one might encounter on a mountain resort skislope. Each repeater node 114 operates much like a cellphone tower toprovide geographic coverage of the wireless network. The repeater nodes114 may be located anywhere on the mountain and used to provide fullcoverage of terrain that is subject to snowmaking. The repeater nodes114 may operate at any suitable radio frequency (RF) or band offrequencies and use any suitable communications protocol. The repeaternodes 114 may be portable or fixed in physical location according toother embodiments of the present invention.

Another advantageous feature of embodiments of the snowmaking automationsystem of the present invention is that the RF repeater nodes 114 may beemployed to cover any mountainous terrain with a wireless network foruse by the snowmaking automation system. Dead spots and optimalplacement of repeater nodes 114 may be determined by any suitable RFsignal detector (not shown). Such an RF signal detector may be designedand used to audit the locations of snowmaking equipment, e.g.,snowmaking gun 102 and hydrant 104, to easily determine dead spots (nowireless network signal) and preferred placement of portable RF repeaterstations for complete network coverage on the mountain. For example, theRF signal detector may be backpack mounted or hand carried for skiing orsnowshoeing over ski trails to snowmaking locations, or otherwisemounted on a vehicle, snowmobile or snow cat to perform such a networkaudit as well as for initial repeater node 114 placement.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a particular embodiment of abase station 200 is shown, according to the present invention. The basestation 200 may include a general purpose computer or personal computer(PC) 212, having memory 202 for storing software, namely a webapplication 204 that is configured and programmed to control and operatethe snowmaking automation system 100 (FIG. 1) of the present invention.Computer 212 may have a connection 206 to the Internet 208. Theconnection 206 may be a wireless or wired connection using routers,wireless or otherwise, using hardware that is well known to those ofordinary skill in the art. The web application 204 may be used at thebase station 200 to remotely monitor and control all aspects ofsnowmaking production. It is further contemplated that a suitable mobileapplication (app) could provide mobile remote control of snowmakingproduction from a mobile smartphone in much the same way a computer 212would control production.

Computer 212 may further be connected 210 to a radio 214 which may befurther connected to an antenna 218 via an optional arrestor 216 throughsuitable RF cabling 220, 222. Arrestor 216 provides electrical surgeprotection from lightning strikes for example. The radio 214 is used towirelessly connect to each of the snowmaking guns 102 (see FIG. 1) andhydrants 104 (see FIG. 1) that are located on the mountain resort viathe repeater nodes 114 (see FIG. 1) if necessary. Power for the computer212, radio 214 and any of the other components (Internet modem or routerneither shown, computer peripherals, i.e., monitor, printer, etc., alsonot shown) that require power, may be sourced from the building (notshown) or location where the base station 200 is located, e.g., thepower block 224 shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of a snowmaking gun automationmodule 300 is shown, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Module 300 may include a processor 302 for controlling module300. Processor 302 may be in communication 308 with a radio 304. Radio304 may be connected 310 to an antenna 306. Connection 310 may comprisean RF cable. Processor 302 may be in communication 312 with a GPS module314. The GPS module 314 provides accurate location information relatingto the snowmaking gun 102 (see FIG. 1) that it is attached to.

Module 300 may further include an actuator, see dashed line enclosure316, that is physically connected to the snowmaking gun 102 (not shown,but see FIG. 1). Actuator 316 is in communication 334, 336 with theprocessor 302. The actuator 316 drives the mechanical valving within thesnowmaking gun 102 under processor 302 control. The actuator 316 mayinclude a motor driver 318, which is in communication with a motor 320,which is in turn in communication with an encoder 322.

Processor 302 may further be in communication 324 with a hydrant 326.Communication 324 may be wireless or hard-wired according to variousembodiments of the present invention. According to a hard-wiredcommunication 324 embodiment, power, optional data and control signalsmay be transmitted between processor 302 and hydrant 326 via awaterproof connector 328. Processor 302 may further be in communication332 with a temperature and humidity sensor 330. The temperature andhumidity information from sensor 330 may be transmitted back to the basestation 112, 200 for adjusting snowmaking parameters of the guns 102 andhydrant 104

Processor 302 may further be in communication 338 with a user interface340. The user interface 340 may be a dedicated weather-proofed panelconfigured with LED indicators, buttons, switches, test points andanything else used to control the module 300. The buttons may be used tomanually open, or advance, the valve, manually close the valve, test thecommunications link, and to obtain battery status. LED indicators mayindicate gun valve positioning (1-4 for a 4-step gun), communicationssignal connection and signal strength, GPS communications, etc.Alternatively, user interface 340 may be a touch panel configuredappropriately to manually control the snowmaking gun 102, according toanother embodiment. The configuring and programming of a touch panel iswithin the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art, and thus, willnot be further elaborated herein.

A particularly useful and novel feature of one embodiment of module 300is that it can be battery operated for between 150-200 hours on a singlecharge. As shown in FIG. 3, processor 302 may be connected to powercircuitry 352 which forms an interface to battery 350. Power circuitry352 converts the stored battery power for use by the processor 302,actuator 316 and radio 304 and any other component that needs power.Battery 350 may be of any suitable battery technology. The presentlypreferred battery technology for module 300 is lithium iron batterytechnology because of its ability to operate in extreme cold weatherconditions.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a block diagram of a repeater 400 is shown,according to an embodiment of the present invention. Repeater 400 mayinclude a processor 402 in communication 408 with a radio 404. Radio 404may be in communication 406, 408 with antenna 410 via an arrestor 412for lightening and electrical surge protection. Processor 402 mayfurther be in communication 414 with a GPS module 416.

Processor 402 may be further connected 420 to a user interface 418. Theuser interface 418 may be a dedicated weather-proofed panel configuredwith LED indicators, buttons, switches, test points and anything elseused to manually control the repeater 400. For example buttons mayinclude a button for testing the communication link. LED indicators mayinclude communications OK, power indicator, RX LED and TX LED forindications regarding the receiving and transmission of data.Alternatively, user interface 418 may be a touch panel configuredappropriately to control repeater 400. Again the configuring andprogramming of a touch panel is within the knowledge of one of ordinaryskill in the art, and thus, will not be further elaborated herein.

Power to drive the repeater 400 may come from power mains 422 availableat the location on the hill where the repeater 400 is installed.Alternatively, power may be supplied by a battery (not shown), accordingto another embodiment. Thus, repeater 400 may also be located anywhereand moved if necessary. Power circuitry 424 may be used to condition thepower from the power mains 422, or battery (not shown) prior todistribution to the processor 402, radio 404, and anything else thatneeds powering within repeater 400.

Referring now to FIG. 5 a block diagram of a hydrant automation module500 is shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention.Module 500 may further include an actuator, see dashed line box shown at504. Actuator 504 is physically connected to the hydrant 104 (not shown,but see FIG. 1). Actuator 504 is in communication 512, 514 with theprocessor 502. The actuator 504 drives the mechanical valving within thehydrant 104 under processor 502 control. The actuator 504 may include amotor driver 506, which is in communication with a motor 508, which isin turn in communication with an encoder 510. Processor 502 may furtherbe in communication 516 with a user interface 520 similar to the userinterfaces 340 and 418 provided for module 300 and repeater 400,respectively.

According to the embodiment of hydrant automation module 500 shown inFIG. 5, the module 500 obtains power from module 300 via waterproofconnector 328. Of course, the embodiment of module 500 illustrated is ahard-wired configuration. A wireless embodiment of module 500 would besimilar to the module 300 shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 6A-6C are perspective, front and top views, respectively, of anautomated snowmaking gun 600. The automated snowmaking gun 600 mayinclude a snowmaking gun automation module 300 attached to a snowmakinggun 602 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theactuator 316 within module 300 is coupled to the gun 600 and canremotely control the gun 600 from a base station 200 (not shown, but seeFIG. 200). The module 300 is shown with an externally mounted antenna306 (FIGS. 6A and 6B).

FIGS. 7A-7E are perspective, bottom, front, top and left side views,respectively, of an automated dual auto hydrant 700. The automated dualauto hydrant 700 may include a wireless hydrant automation module 770attached to a dual auto hydrant 750 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The wireless hydrant automation module 770 isessentially identical to the snowmaking gun automation module 300discussed herein, but configured to drive the dual auto hydrant 750. Apresently preferred embodiment of a dual auto hydrant 750 may be asdescribed in co-pending U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.15/069,945, filed, Mar. 14, 2016, titled: “DUAL AUTO HYDRANT FORSNOWMAKING EQUIPMENT AND METHOD OF USING SAME”, the contents of whichare incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forthherein. Note that module 770 may include an externally mounted antenna706

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an automated snowmakingsystem 800 according to the present invention. System 800 may include aplurality of snow guns with hydrants 850, 852 and 854 located at selectlocations on a ski slope (not shown). Each snow gun with hydrant 850,852 and 854 may include an antenna 820 for wireless communication to abase station 840 which in turn has its own antenna 820. Depending on therange of the wireless communications technology employed, system 800 mayfurther include one or more repeater nodes 830 with an antenna 820 forextending the range of communications to each snow gun with hydrant 850,852 and 854, regardless of how far from the base station 840 they maybe.

The snow guns with hydrants 850, 852 and 854, may be configured in threeways. The first configuration is an automated snow gun with manualhydrant 850. In this first configuration, the snow gun can be controlledremotely from the base station 840, but the hydrant remains manuallyoperated. The second configuration is a manual snow gun with automatedhydrant 852. In this second configuration, the snow gun requires manualoperation, but the hydrant can be controlled remotely from the basestation 840. The third configuration is a fully automated snow gun withautomated hydrant 854. In this third configuration both the snow gun andthe hydrant can be remotely controlled from the base station 840. FIGS.9-11 provide additional detail and description of the snow guns withhydrants 850, 852 and 854.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an automated snow gun withmanual hydrant 850 according to the present invention. The firstconfiguration of an automated snow gun with manual hydrant 850 mayinclude a snowmaking gun 802 with an automated actuator 806 installed.For example and not by way of limitation, snowmaking gun 802 may be asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,170,041 to Dodson, the contents of whichare incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forthherein. The automated actuator 806 may include an antenna 820 forwireless communication with a base station 840 (see FIG. 8) directly, orindirectly through a repeater node 830.

The first configuration of an automated snow gun with manual hydrant 850may further include a hydrant 804 having a manual actuator 808. Forexample and not by way of limitation, hydrant 804 may be a dual autohydrant as described in co-pending U.S. nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 15/069,945, filed, Mar. 14, 2016, titled: “DUALAUTO HYDRANT FOR SNOWMAKING EQUIPMENT AND METHOD OF USING SAME”, thecontents of which are incorporated by reference for all purposes as iffully set forth herein. For example and not by way of limitation, themanual actuator 808 contemplated herein may be a hydrant control lever,such as described in application Ser. No. 15/069,945 at reference number174, which controls a rack and pinion mechanism 302 within the dual autohydrant 100. However, it will be understood that any hydrant from anymanufacturer could be adapted for use with the automated actuators 806described herein.

The first configuration of an automated snow gun with manual hydrant 850may further include a pressurized water source 810 and a compressed airsource 812, both feeding the hydrant 804. An exemplary pressurized watersource 810 and compressed air source 812 have both been described indetail above. In this first configuration of an automated snow gun withmanual hydrant 850, both the water source 810 and air source 812 aremanually controlled by the hydrant 804, which in turn supplies thesnowmaking gun 802.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a manual snow gun withautomated hydrant 852 according to the present invention. The secondconfiguration of a manual snow gun with automated hydrant 852 mayinclude a snowmaking gun 802 with a manual actuator 808 installed. Forexample and not by way of limitation, snowmaking gun 802 may be asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,170,041 to Dodson, with a manual actuator808 shown as a pinion handle 116 (U.S. Pat. No. 9,170,041 to Dodson).

The second configuration of a manual snow gun with automated hydrant 852may further include a hydrant 804 with an automated actuator 806installed. The automated actuator 806 may include an antenna 820 forwireless communication with a base station 840 (see FIG. 8) directly, orindirectly through a repeater node 830. The second configuration of amanual snow gun with automated hydrant 852 may further include apressurized water source 810 and a compressed air source 812 feedinginto hydrant 804. In this second configuration a manual snow gun withautomated hydrant 852, both the water source 810 and air source 812 maybe remotely controlled by the hydrant 804, which in turn supplies thesnowmaking gun 802.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an automated snow gunwith automated hydrant 854 according to the present invention. The thirdconfiguration of an automated snow gun with automated hydrant 854 mayinclude a snowmaking gun 802 with an automated actuator 806 installed.The third configuration of an automated snow gun with automated hydrant854 may further include a hydrant 804 with an automated actuator 806installed. In this third configuration, the water source 810 and airsource 812 feed the hydrant 804 which are remotely controlled toselectively pass through to the snowmaking gun 802 which in turn isremotely controlled to generate snow in the appropriate atmosphericconditions. This third configuration of an automated snow gun withautomated hydrant 854 is believed to be the most labor cost effective asit does not need manual attendance from an operator at its actuallocation for long periods of time.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of another embodiment of an automated snowmakingsystem 1200 according to the present invention. A plurality (six shown)of automated snow gun and automated hydrants 1254 are located atdesignated positions on a mountain 1260 where snowmaking is desired. Oneor more repeater nodes 1230 (only one shown) may be strategicallylocated on the mountain 1260 to provide a wireless radio connection toall of the automated snow gun and automated hydrants 1254. One or moreweather stations 1270 (only one shown) may be placed on the mountain ator near locations where snowmaking is desired. Such weather stations1270 may include a variety of sensors for temperature, humidity, windspeed, barometric pressure and the like that are useful for determiningatmospheric conditions for snowmaking. The weather stations 1270 mayalso communicate wirelessly with the repeater nodes 1230 to provide thisreal time weather information for use in fine tuning the snowmakingprocess and determining whether conditions are sufficient for makingsnow in the first place.

Data of interest, e.g., water flow rate, water pressure, compressed airpressure, temperature, operational duration, battery life, sensed at thesnowmaking automation module may be gathered from each of the varioussnowmaking automation modules attached to the snowmaking guns andhydrants 1254 and transmitted back to a database 1280 for use by aserver 1290 which may store a computer program (not shown) forcontrolling the snowmaking automation system 1200, according to variousembodiments of the present invention. A user (not shown) would interactwith the snowmaking automation system 1200 using a computer 1210 withaccess to the server 1290 through a direct network connection or throughthe Internet if the database 1280 and/or server 1290 are located in thecloud, according to various embodiments of the present invention. Thecomputer 1210 may or may not be located in a base station (840, FIG. 8),according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 13A-13C are left side, front and right side views of an embodimentof a snowmaking automation module 1300 according to the presentinvention. Module 1300 may include a housing 1302 for holding a gearmotor 1304, battery 1306 (shown in transparent view, FIGS. 13A and 13C),radio modem 1308 (shown in transparent view, FIGS. 13A and 13C) and GPSmodule 1310 (also shown in transparent view, FIGS. 13A and 13C). Housing1302 may further include an actuator interface 1312 that is coupled tothe gear motor 1304. The actuator interface 1312 allows the snowmakingautomation module 1300 to replace a user manually turning a handle orlever used to actuate the snow gun or hydrant.

Housing 1302 may further include a control panel 1318 and a battery boxcover 1326 mounted along a front face panel 1320 of the housing 1302 anda handle 1322. Control panel 1320 may be used to manually configure thesnowmaking automation module 1300 for automatic operation based on thesnowmaking gun or hydrant to which it is attached. The control panel1320 may also be used to manually operate the gun or hydrant to which itis attached. The handle 1322 may be used to remove, transport andinstall the snowmaking automation module 1300 to and from snowmakingsites. Module 1300 may further include a flexible pipe 1314 whichsupports a solar panel 1316. The solar panel 1316 provides passiverecharging of the battery 1306. Flexible pipe 1314 further houseselectrical conduit from the solar panel 1316 to the battery. Theembodiment of a radio antenna 1324 coupled to the radio modem 1308 islocated within the housing 1302 as shown in FIG. 13C. However, it willbe understood that an antenna for radio communications could be locatedexternal to the housing 1302 in other embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 14A-14F are left side, top, front-right perspective, front, rightside and rear views of an embodiment of a snowmaking gun 1400 with asnowmaking automation module 1300 installed according to the presentinvention. Note that the snowmaking gun 1400 is not shown connected topressurized water or compressed air sources that would be needed forsnowmaking, in order to simplify illustrating the different views.

FIGS. 15A-15F are rear perspective, top, front, right side, rear andleft-side view of an embodiment of a hydrant 1500 with a snowmakingautomation module 1300 installed according to the present invention.Note that the hydrant 1500 is not shown connected to pressurized wateror compressed air sources for ease of illustrating the different views.

It will be understood that various combinations of hardware, firmwareand software may be used to implement the command, control, raw datastorage (database) and control program storage and execution (server)for controlling and monitoring all of the snowmaking automation modules1300 or “black boxes” and repeater nodes 1230 dispersed about amountainside at a ski resort, as well as, databases, servers andcomputers shown, for example in FIG. 12. According to one embodiment,the software or code resident in the black boxes 1300, may be firmwarethat sends status of the current state of the snow gun or hydrant towhich it is attached and receives commands via a repeater node 1230.According to one embodiment, the software in the black box is coded inthe C language.

According to another embodiment, the computer code in a repeater node1230 receives statuses from the black boxes 1300 and from transmittingweather stations 1270 and may convert bytes of data into JavaScriptObject Notation (JSON) to transmit to the database 1280 for storage. Thecomputer code in the repeater nodes may also be configured for receivingJSON coded data from the database 1280 and translating it into bytessent to the black boxes 1300. According to one embodiment, the softwarecode of the repeater node 1230 and its radio modem 1308 may be coded inthe Python scripting language.

According to still another embodiment, the computer code used in thedatabase 1280 may be used to store data received from the repeater node1230 and from the web interface input by a user of the system. Accordingto an embodiment, the software code of the database 1280 may be coded inthe Python scripting language and JavaScript and the database itself maybe implemented using RethinkDB™, 32-bit. RethinkDB™ is an open-source,scalable JSON database used for real time web applications available athttps://rethinkdb.com. However, it will be understood that otherdatabases could be used to implement database 1280 as described herein.

According to yet another embodiment, the computer code in the server1290 may be used to process data from the database for sending to theweb interface and vice versa. According to a particular embodiment, theserver 1290 may be implemented in Node.js™ available athttps://nodejes.org. Node.js™ is an open-source, cross-platform runtimeenvironment for developing server-side Web applications. According toone embodiment, JavaScript is the programming language used to implementmodules within the Node.js development platform.

According to another embodiment, the web interface viewed in a browseron computer 1210 provides the user with an interface to control theblack boxes 1300 from any computer/or smartphone with internet access.According to a particular embodiment, the software code used toimplement the web interface may be JavaScript and HyperText MarkupLanguage (HTML).

Having described a number of embodiments of the inventive snowmakingautomation system and its associated snowmaking automation modules withreference to the drawing figures, additional more general embodiments ofthe system and modules will now be described.

An embodiment of a snowmaking automation system for remotely controllingthe generation of snow is disclosed. The system may include a hydrantfor selectively receiving and delivering pressurized water andcompressed air. The system may further include a snowmaking gun coupledto the hydrant to selectively receive the pressurized water and thecompressed air. The system may further include at least one automationmodule coupled to the hydrant or the snowmaking gun, each of the atleast one automation modules having a means for communication and amotor for actuating the snowmaking gun or the hydrant to selectivelygenerate snow using the water and the air. The system may furtherinclude a base station in communication with the at least one automationmodule, the base station configured to provide a user control of the atleast one automation module and thereby remotely control generation ofthe snow.

According to another embodiment of the snowmaking automation system, theat least one automation module may include a first automation modulecoupled to the hydrant and a second automation module coupled to thesnowmaking gun. According to yet another embodiment of the snowmakingautomation system, the means for communication may be wireless radiocommunication, hardwired network communication, or optical fibercommunication. According to still another embodiment, the snowmakingautomation system may further include at least one repeater node linkingwireless communication between the base station and the at least oneautomation module. According to still another embodiment, the snowmakingautomation system may further include a weather station in communicationwith the repeater node. The weather station may be configured forsensing and transmitting atmospheric weather conditions back to adatabase for use by a server.

According to another embodiment, the snowmaking automation system mayfurther include a database in communication with the at least oneautomation module for storing data gathered from the at least oneautomation module. According to another embodiment, the snowmakingautomation system may further include a server in communication with theat least one automation module and the database. The server may beconfigured for storing and running a computer software programconfigured for remotely interacting with and controlling the at leastone automation module and the database according to one embodiment.According to another embodiment, the snowmaking automation system mayfurther include a computer with a user interface or web interface incommunication with the server, the database and the at least oneautomation module. The computer with the user interface may beconfigured to remotely interact with and control the at least oneautomation module according to one embodiment.

According to a particular embodiment of a snowmaking automation system,the at least one automation module further include a housing with anactuator interface for attachment to a snowmaking gun or a hydrant. Theat least one automation module may further include a gear motor withencoder mounted inside the housing and coupled to the actuatorinterface, the gear motor configured to selectively drive a snowmakinggun or a hydrant according to this embodiment. The at least oneautomation module may further include a radio modem and antenna mountedinside the housing. The at least one automation module may furtherinclude a battery mounted inside the housing, the battery coupled to,and configure for powering, the gear motor and the radio modem.

An embodiment of a snowmaking automation module is disclosed. The modulemay include a housing with an actuator interface for attachment to asnowmaking gun or a hydrant. The module may further include a gear motormounted inside the housing and coupled to the actuator interface, thegear motor configured to selectively drive a snowmaking gun or ahydrant. The module may further include a radio modem and antennamounted inside the housing. The module may further include a batterymounted inside the housing, the battery coupled to, and configure forpowering, the gear motor and the radio modem.

Another embodiment of the snowmaking automation module may furtherinclude a control panel mounted to the outside of the housing. Thecontrol panel may be configured for a user to manually control thesnowmaking automation module and either a snowmaking gun or a hydrant towhich it is attached and to configure the automation module for remoteoperation. Still another embodiment of the snowmaking automation modulemay further include a solar panel mechanically coupled to the housingand electrically coupled to the battery for passively supplementing lifeof the battery. Yet another embodiment of the snowmaking automationmodule may further include a flexible pipe for mechanically coupling thesolar panel to the housing and electrically coupling the solar panel tothe battery. The flexible pipe may be configured to allow manual aimingof the solar panel to maximize solar power conversion efficiencyaccording to one embodiment. Another embodiment of the snowmakingautomation module may further include a global positioning system (GPS)module mounted in the housing and coupled to the radio modem. The GPSmodule may be configured for determining the position of the automationmodule and providing position information to the radio modem, which inturn may be relayed to the database, server and user at a web interfacelocated anywhere, including in a base station. Still another embodimentof the snowmaking automation module may further include a handle formedinto the housing. The handle may be configured for a user to remove,transport or mount the snowmaking automation module on the equipment(snow gun or hydrant) to which it is attached.

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“configured” as used herein to describe a component, section or part ofa device includes hardware and/or software that is constructed and/orprogrammed to carry out the desired function. In understanding the scopeof the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, asused herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify thepresence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers,and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstatedfeatures, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. Theforegoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as theterms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms“part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in thesingular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality ofparts. As used herein to describe the present invention, the followingdirectional terms “forward, rearward, above, downward, vertical,horizontal, below and transverse” as well as any other similardirectional terms refer to those directions of a snowmaking gun orsnowmaking automation module attached to a snowmaking gun as appropriateand according to the present invention. Finally, terms of degree such as“substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean areasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the endresult is not significantly changed.

It will further be understood that the present invention may suitablycomprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the component parts,method steps and limitations disclosed herein. However, the inventionillustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absenceof any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

While the foregoing advantages of the present invention are manifestedin the illustrated embodiments of the invention, a variety of changescan be made to the configuration, design and construction of theinvention to achieve those advantages. Hence, reference herein tospecific details of the structure and function of the present inventionis by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A snowmaking automation system for remotelycontrolling the generation of snow, comprising: a hydrant forselectively receiving and delivering pressurized water and compressedair; a snowmaking gun coupled to the hydrant to selectively receive thepressurized water and the compressed air; at least one automation modulecoupled to the hydrant or the snowmaking gun, each of the at least oneautomation modules having a means for communication and a motor foractuating the snowmaking gun or the hydrant to selectively generate snowusing the water and the air; and a base station in communication withthe at least one automation module, the base station configured toprovide a user control of the at least one automation module and therebyremotely control generation of the snow.
 2. The snowmaking automationsystem according to claim 1, wherein the at least one automation modulecomprises a first automation module coupled to the hydrant and a secondautomation module coupled to the snowmaking gun.
 3. The snowmakingautomation system according to claim 1, wherein the means forcommunication is selected from the group consisting of: wireless radiocommunication, hardwired network communication, optical fibercommunication.
 4. The snowmaking automation system according to claim 1,further comprising at least one repeater node linking wirelesscommunication between the base station and the at least one automationmodule.
 5. The snowmaking automation system according to claim 4,further comprising a weather station in communication with the repeaternode, the weather station configured for sensing and transmittingatmospheric weather conditions.
 6. The snowmaking automation systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising a database in communicationwith the at least one automation module for storing data gathered fromthe at least one automation module.
 7. The snowmaking automation systemaccording to claim 6, further comprising a server in communication withthe at least one automation module and the database, the serverconfigured for storing and running a computer software programconfigured for remotely interacting with and controlling the at leastone automation module and the database.
 8. The snowmaking automationsystem according to claim 7, the base station further comprises acomputer with a user interface in communication with the server, thedatabase and the at least one automation module, the computer with theuser interface configured to remotely interact with and control the atleast one automation module.
 9. The snowmaking automation systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one automation module furthercomprises: a housing with an actuator interface for attachment to asnowmaking gun or a hydrant; a gear motor with encoder mounted insidethe housing and coupled to the actuator interface, the gear motorconfigured to selectively drive a snowmaking gun or a hydrant; a radiomodem and antenna mounted inside the housing; and a battery mountedinside the housing, the battery coupled to, and configured for powering,the gear motor and the radio modem.
 10. A snowmaking automation module,comprising: a housing with an actuator interface for attachment to asnowmaking gun or a hydrant; a gear motor mounted inside the housing andcoupled to the actuator interface, the gear motor configured toselectively drive a snowmaking gun or a hydrant; a radio modem andantenna mounted inside the housing; and a battery mounted inside thehousing, the battery coupled to, and configured for powering, the gearmotor and the radio modem.
 11. The snowmaking automation moduleaccording to claim 10, further comprising a control panel mounted to theoutside of the housing, the control panel configured for a user tomanually control the snowmaking automation module and either asnowmaking gun or a hydrant to which it is attached and to configure theautomation module for remote operation.
 12. The snowmaking automationmodule according to claim 10, further comprising a solar panelmechanically coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to thebattery for passively supplementing life of the battery.
 13. Thesnowmaking automation module according to claim 12, further comprising aflexible pipe for mechanically coupling the solar panel to the housingand electrically coupling the solar panel to the battery, the flexiblepipe configured to allow manual aiming of the solar panel to maximizesolar power conversion efficiency.
 14. The snowmaking automation moduleaccording to claim 10, further comprising a global positioning system(GPS) module mounted in the housing and coupled to the radio modem, theGPS module configured for determining the position of the automationmodule and providing position information to the radio modem.
 15. Thesnowmaking automation module according to claim 10, further comprising ahandle formed into the housing, the handle configured for a user toremove, transport or mount the snowmaking automation module.